Colin LANGENBERGER

A Property Tax Freeze: What It Means and How It Works

I’ve been having a lot of great conversations with residents about my platform, and one topic that keeps coming up is my commitment to freezing property taxes.

Some folks have asked me, “How can you freeze taxes without cutting services or jobs?” It’s a great question, and I want to explain my approach in simple, everyday terms. The truth is, it’s not about slashing budgets. It’s just about making smart, sensible choices and respecting what residents are going through.

Managing the Town Budget Like We Manage Our Own

Let me give you an example.

Say you’ve budgeted $100 for a family night out. But when you start planning, you realize rising prices have pushed your ideal night to $130. Do you just spend the extra $30 without thinking twice? If funds are tight, you simply can’t.

So you pivot. Maybe you go for a more affordable restaurant, or cook at home and still enjoy a movie. You still have a great night, but you stayed within your means.

That’s exactly the approach I want to take with the town budget.

No Cuts to Services or Town Staff

Let me be clear: I have no intention of cutting current town services or reducing the number of town employees. Essential services like waste collection, snow removal, parks, recreation, and emergency response are not going anywhere.

Our town employees work hard to keep Okotoks running smoothly, and they deserve stability and respect. Freezing property taxes doesn’t mean asking them to do more with less. It means being smarter about where we grow.

It’s About Prioritizing, Not Slashing

Just like at home, sometimes you have to delay a big expense when times are tight. That doesn’t mean you’re against ever doing it. It just means now might not be the right time.

Do we need every large-scale project immediately? Or is it smarter to press pause on some non-essential spending while families and seniors catch their breath from rising interest rates, inflation, and the overall cost of living?

A tax freeze is a way of saying: Let’s focus on what matters most right now.

Let People Catch Up

I know that many in our community are feeling stretched. When costs are climbing everywhere, at the grocery store, at the gas pump, and in your mortgage or rent, a property tax increase can feel like the final straw.

Freezing taxes doesn’t mean shrinking our vision for Okotoks.
It simply means giving people time to catch up, while we focus on making the smartest use of the resources we already have.

It’s a break that allows us all to breathe, without sacrificing the essentials that make this town great.

Let’s Keep Okotoks Affordable

I love this community, and I want it to stay livable and affordable, not just for the next few years, but for the next few generations. With thoughtful planning, open communication, and a focus on what matters most, I believe we can keep Okotoks thriving, without raising property taxes.

Thanks for taking the time to read and consider what this approach means. I’m always happy to chat more, so reach out anytime.

See you around town!

Colin Langenberger
Candidate for Mayor of Okotoks

Count on Colin!

8 responses to “A Property Tax Freeze: What It Means and How It Works”

  1. Dejana Avatar
    Dejana

    Hey Colin
    Thank you for the post. I believe Okotoks has everything and more and does not need any immediate huge changes. I definitely dont believe we need such a quick and large population growth. I would love to see more small shops and back to the cozy feel. I dont want Okotoks to become a city. We domt need to compete and be like Calgary – we wont be unique then. Everything is getting more expensive and out of reach for most (unless its on a credit card)… in many aspects, the increase in price is just greed by the receiver. Cutting/freezing taxes would be a start but also lets stop increasing certain costs on stuff.. i get the profit making but when you start over charging it becomes just sickening.

    Reply
    1. super_admin Avatar
      super_admin

      We are on the same page. Thank you for the comment

      Reply
  2. Garnett Rowntree Avatar
    Garnett Rowntree

    Thank you for taking a hard look at our tax rate, it’s important for the public sector to have fiscal responsibility. They need to look internal for savings and additional revenue rather than accept to oktokian to pay more. As you are aware to private sector is struggling as trade continues to drop with US. The town needs to sweat all of their assets and look internal for revenue and or pause none important projects… example skate park. Even though this was a grant money according to our current counsel, grant money needs to be routed to more important infrastructure projects… you have my vote. Thank you

    Reply
    1. super_admin Avatar
      super_admin

      Agreed, I do not understand the mind set that gov’t can only raise costs, never look for savings.

      Reply
  3. Joe Avatar
    Joe

    I appreciate you clarifying these points.

    Your comment on no cuts to services or town staff led me to a thought of the ‘little people’ of town actively helping to pick up litter in public parks and spaces. Prior or post, of special town events? Once a month, organized event?
    In so doing, it promotes another means and awareness of active involvement in community for younger generations. (This IS their community too!). It could be helpful for them in ways to explore Okotoks more, and take pride. (possibly less McDonald’s bags left in parking stalls which suggest a door was opened and the bag was placed on the pavement ;))
    All of which could save the Town of Okotoks from having to do that which was not necessary years prior.
    It’s a double win!
    Okotoks is cleaner.
    Little people learn and respect! ‘Pick it up, pick it up, don’t litter!’ Less litter in following years.
    Town can focus elsewhere.
    Wait – that’s a triple win!

    Reply
    1. super_admin Avatar
      super_admin

      Nothing wrong in getting the schools to do a garbage pick up afternoon. We always did a garbage walk at the end of camps when I was a scout leader.

      Reply
  4. Dave Brooks Avatar
    Dave Brooks

    It is refreshing to hear from someone that actually has the interest of the taxpayers in mind. Retirees will need to sell their homes that fought so hard to pay for due to taxes, utilities and insurance. New home buyers are already finding it difficult as are most home owners. I applaud you for this and hope you do a forensic audit into how all of our money is being spent.

    Reply
  5. Wendy Coulter Avatar
    Wendy Coulter

    Great answer, this is exactly what is needed right now. People are stretched to the max and some beyond.

    Reply

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